Celebrating Contemporary Northern Irish Fashion Design
By The Gloss
A must-see if visiting Belfast …
Titanic Belfast has launched a free summer exhibition, “Northern Threads”, bringing together four designers: Gráinne Maher, Hope Macaulay, Kindred of Ireland by Amy Anderson and Éadach by Sara O’Neill.
Each brings a distinctive approach, spanning sculptural knitwear, contemporary linen, narrative textiles and handcrafted accessories. Together, their work reflects an increasingly confident creative scene that is evolving and increasingly visible on a global stage, while remaining grounded in Northern Ireland’s landscape, culture and craft traditions.
Born in Portrush, Éadach founder Sara O’Neill’s work is inspired by music, subculture, mythology and coastal landscapes, creating hand-drawn prints on silk, linen and natural fibres.
Amy Anderson founded Kindred of Ireland after discovering a photo of her grandmother spinning linen in a mill in Moygashel, inspiring a reconnection with lost textile traditions. The brand reimagines Irish linen for a modern wardrobe, working with family-run mills and local seamstresses.
Belfast-born designer Gráinne Maher is known for combining traditional craftsmanship with an avant-garde style. She moved from music into millinery, creating contemporary headpieces that challenge traditional occasionwear, since expanding into leather goods.
Hope Macaulay creates colourful, sculptural knitwear inspired by the landscapes of Northern Ireland’s North Coast. Taught to knit by her grandmother, she has built her globally recognised, family-run label.
Also featured within the exhibition space is designer Una Rodden along with her Tribe collective as designers-in-residence, as well as the innovative Threadlab research piece from Ulster University lecturers Dean Liggett and Grainne Taylor.
To complement the exhibition, Titanic Belfast will see the addition of Eimear Magee’s “Singing Threads” in the Grand Atrium. This large-scale textile installation explores the human stories embedded within Ulster’s linen industry.
Also of interest is Ulster University’s Belfast School of Art Graduate Fashion Show on May 28 and Titanic Pre-Loved x Cathy Martin on June 7, with a Fashion Tea hosted by Eddie Shanahan from the Council of Irish Fashion Designers during the run of the exhibition.
SEE MORE: Stay, See, Shop, Sip, Spa: Belfast
